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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Melissa was born in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1961. She got her first guitar at age 8 and wrote her song at age 10. At 17 Melissa had her first relationship with another girl.

Nowhere to Go:

After high school Melissa left Kansas behind and moved to Boston to attend the Berklee School of Music. She dropped out after a year, but spent the next few years performing at local clubs and coffee houses.

All the Way to Heaven:

In 1982 Melissa moved to Los Angeles to try and make it as a rock-n-roll star. She played for years in lesbian bars before being discovered by Island Records. Her self-titled debut album was released in 1988. It went platinum.

Must be Crazy for Me:

Melissa won a Grammy for Ain't it Heavy off her 1992 album Never Enough.

Yes I Am:

Melissa came out about her sexual orientation at Bill Clinton's Presidential inauguration celebration. Since then she has been an advocate for gay rights.

Similar Features:

Melissa and her partner Julie Cypher had two children: Bailey and Beckett. Julie was the birth mother and David Crosby the sperm donor. She and Julie share custody of the children.

The Angels won't Have It:

In September 2000, Melissa and Julie ended their relationship. Melissa released her seventh album, Skin and a tell all biography The Truth is: My Life in Love and Music.

I Want To Be in Love:

Melissa fell in love again, this time with actress Tammy Lynn Michaels. They held a commitment ceremony in September 2003.

On October 17, 2006 Tammy gave birth to twins: daughter Johnnie Rose and son Miller Steven.

I Run For Life:

Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2004 at age 43. She underwent chemotherapy and a lumpectomy and seems to be doing great now. Melissa has become a spokesperson for breast cancer and will always be remembered for her amazing bald-headed performace of Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart" at the Grammy Awards.

Brave and Crazy:

When Melissa Etheridge came out in 1992, some feared it would be the end of her career. Instead, Melissa's popularity only grew. She continues to advocate for gay and lesbian rights and wrote the song Scarecrow about the death of gay college student Matthew Shepherd. She remains one of the most visible lesbian role models.